A Matador-like Predator Diversion Strategy Driven by Conspicuous Coloration in Guppies

Heathcote, Robert J. P.; Troscianko, Jolyon; Darden, Safi K.; Naisbett-Jones, Lewis C.; Laker, Philippa R.; Brown, Andy; Ramnarine, Indar W.; Walker, Jeffrey A.; Croft, Darren P.

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2020.05.017

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Additionally, since blue acaras are opportunistic predators in their natural environment that actively pursue prey such as guppies ( 43 , 61 ), the results of our study are most likely to be applicable to predator-prey interactions involving pursuit predators like blue acaras, which adjust their trajectory in response to fleeing prey ( 62 , 63 ). For ambush or stalk-and-strike predators, which typically do not adjust their trajectories in the period immediately after striking ( 64 , 65 ), unpredictable prey escape behavior may be more effective than in our study, suggesting fruitful avenues for follow-up research. Future studies should also consider testing the effectiveness of evasive responses which combine unpredictability in the prey’s initial escape direction with randomness in the subsequent escape path ( 7 , 8 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Responsive robotic prey reveal how predators adapt to predictability in escape tactics

Szopa-Comley

Ioannou

2022

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Significance A widespread strategy used by prey animals, seen in insects, mammals, amphibians, crustaceans, fish, and reptiles, is to vary the direction in which they escape when attacked by a predator. This unpredictability is thought to benefit prey by inhibiting predators from predicting the prey’s escape trajectory, but experimental evidence is lacking. Using fish predators repeatedly tested with interactive, robot-controlled prey escaping in the same (predictable) or in random (unpredictable) directions, we find no clear benefit to prey of escaping unpredictably, driven by behavioral counteradaptation by the predators. The benefit of unpredictable escape behavior may depend on whether predators are able to counteract prey escape tactics by flexibly modifying their behavior, or unpredictability may instead be explained biomechanical or sensory constraints.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Responsive robotic prey reveal how predators adapt to predictability in escape tactics

Szopa-Comley

Ioannou

2022

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…In their natural environment, blue acaras are opportunistic predators which actively pursue prey such as guppies (36, 52). The results of our study are relevant to predator-prey interactions involving pursuit predators like blue acaras which adjust their trajectory in response to fleeing prey (53, 54), rather than those involving ambush or stalk-and-strike predators that attack prey at close range and do not adjust their trajectories in the period immediately after striking (55, 56). In the latter case where predators have a limited capacity to adjust, unpredictable prey escape behaviour may be more effective than in our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Responsive robotic prey reveal how predators adapt to predictability in escape tactics

Szopa-Comley

Ioannou

2021

Preprint

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To increase their chances of survival, prey often respond to predators by being unpredictable when escaping, but the response of predators to such tactics is unknown. We programmed interactive robot-controlled prey to flee from an approaching blue acara predator (Andinoacara pulcher), allowing us to manipulate the predictability of the prey's initial escape direction. When repeatedly exposed to predictable prey, the predators adjusted their behaviour before the prey even began to escape: prey programmed to escape directly away were approached more rapidly than prey escaping at an acute angle. These faster approach speeds compensated for a longer time needed to capture such prey during the subsequent pursuit phase, and predators showed greater acceleration when pursuing unpredictable prey. Collectively, these behaviours resulted in the prey's predictability having no net effect on the time to capture prey. Rather than minimising capture times, predators adjust their behaviour to maintain an adequate level of performance.

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“…It is possible that in these encounters and when the dragonet raised its dorsal fin to the encroaching observer, that the signal served to (a) startle the intruder (e.g. Heathcote et al, 2020), (b) communicate prey dimensions beyond predator gape (cf. Mihalitsis & Bellwood, 2017) and/ or (c) signal toxicity of the dragonet (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of Gross's stinkfish, Callionymus grossi (Ogilby 1910) to perceived threats

Ebner

2024

Austral Ecology

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Predator avoidance is critical to fish survival and yet multiple types of predator response are rarely recorded at the level of individuals let alone studied in detail. Behaviour of an individual adult male dragonet, Gross's stinkfish Callionymus grossi (Ogilby 1910) (Family Callionymidae) was observed over the course of four consecutive daily snorkelling sessions on high tides in the Maroochy River estuary, Queensland, Australia. On two occasions, the dragonet buried in the sand in the presence of a great barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda, whereas, smaller benthic predators or competitors and the observer sometimes provoked dorsal fin raising and fleeing responses of the dragonet. The dragonet, therefore, demonstrates multiple responses to potential predators and competitors seemingly depending on the likely severity of interaction. Further research of dragonet fishes is recommended to disentangle the functionality of fin display in this group, with the anti‐predator function of fin displays and honest signalling of chemical defence a promising aspect for investigation.

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A Matador-like Predator Diversion Strategy Driven by Conspicuous Coloration in Guppies

Cited by 11 publications

References 48 publications

Responsive robotic prey reveal how predators adapt to predictability in escape tactics

Responsive robotic prey reveal how predators adapt to predictability in escape tactics

Responsive robotic prey reveal how predators adapt to predictability in escape tactics

Responses of Gross's stinkfish, Callionymus grossi (Ogilby 1910) to perceived threats

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